Do American stores size big?

[DuchessOfDork]

Specifically asking about Old Navy and Target. I went shopping for office attire and came accross some nice slacks, but learned that at Target I'm a size 8 and at Old Navy I'm a size 6?? I didn't want to celebrate prematurely, because I'm afraid that both stores just size big.

Thoughts?

[brandywine1241]

Re: Do American stores size big?

It's not the stores but the manufacturers. Maybe you could google the slacks' makers and find something about sizing???

[sadie147]

Re: Do American stores size big?

This is what is called 'vanity' sizing. Old/Navy and gap are one of the worst for it IMO. they make bigger clothes with smaller sizes, it makes you feel good and you'll keep shopping there. I can wear a size 2 in old navy brands, but recently bought a pair of jeans from JC Penny , they're an 8. I'm a 7 in US Levis, but a size 4 if i buy them in Canada (still Levis, made by the same Company), but bought a pair of capris at Costco and they're a 3.

Because of this, I don't pay much attention to sizes anymore...if it fits and looks good I buy it. I don't trust them to all be similar. No one can see the tag on my clothes, so i'm not too worried about it.

And then there's womens' and juniors sizes..a womens medium is far bigger than a juniors medium etc.

[jeannine1976]

Re: Do American stores size big?

I would use a US standard sizing chart to determine what size you are. Wiki has one...

http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_standard_clothing_size

Unfortunately, although there is a standard, most retail shops don't adhere to it. Less expensive shops tend to employ what's called "vanity sizing". They have a lower income demographic (group of people they market to), and the lower income bracket has a higher obesity rate ( I can provide stats on this if you're interested). By calling a size 12 a size 10, they're encouraging the potential customer to feel skinnier, therefore wanting to buy more.

The higher end the shop, the littler the sizes. Couture is teeny-tiny. For example, I saw an ad on a message board for a lady selling her Romona Keveza wedding gown. The lady mentioned that she's usually s size 6, but the dress is a size 10.

If you're at the mall, though, I think you can trust the standard sizing guide for the most part, just as long as you're not in a store which markets to teens. Their sizing is based on a body which isn't fully developed...smaller bust, narrower hips. That throws off the numbers, as well.

Anyhow, I'm rambling. To make a long story short...yes. I've found that Target and Old Navy size on the big side.

P.S. Sorry Sadie, I didn't see your post before mine went up.

[APanthesilia]

Re: Do American stores size big?

I've noticed this too. Like Sadie said, I don't pay attention to labels anymore either! Not only are sizes different for different manufacturers but also sometimes within that same brand! I recently bought two pairs of jeans- one pair I tried on and liked so much that I picked up an identical pair and bought those, too. The ones I tried on fit great but the other pair doesn't fit at all- same brand, style and size! From store to store it varies so much. I fluctuate between three sizes in shirts depending on where they are from. It always annoyed me so now I'm taking the "not paying any attention" approach! So, it may be vanity sizing causing you to wear those sizes but you still should be celebrating! You are doing great!!

[germensano]

Re: Do American stores size big?

Oh boy!!!
this thing about the clothes is so mental because i feel so great when i go to old navy and in all the pants im a size 12 , but the truth is i really know that im a 14.
If im sad i dont want to go to a store where the clothes dont fit me in the smaller sizes, i know that sounds stupid but is how i feel

[sadie147]

Re: Do American stores size big?

Oh boy!!!
this thing about the clothes is so mental because i feel so great when i go to old navy and in all the pants im a size 12 , but the truth is i really know that im a 14.
If im sad i dont want to go to a store where the clothes dont fit me in the smaller sizes, i know that sounds stupid but is how i feel

Yes you should try very hard not to get hungup on the sizes, though I know this can be really hard. the reason you feel great shopping at old navy is exactly why they do it..they play on peoples emotions.

though I don't pay attention much to sizes anymore..i was recently pretty depressed when I bought a Lucky Brand Jeans bikini and had to get a large! I just keep telling myself it's not about whats on the tag, but what i look like in it!

And i completely agree with what janine said about stores that market to teens, i've actually tried on tops in L and XL that i can't wear because they're too tight! What scares me about that is there are alot of teens with this same issue ..this must be devastating for them if their friends can wear clothes from a store and they cant' find anything to fit. scary really.

The teens in my family were never that tiny size 0 (though my stepdaughter is..but most of her friends aren't)...i don't think clothing for teens should be sized any different.

[germensano]

Re: Do American stores size big?

and the teen clothes are more fashion and pretty but smaller

[jeannine1976]

Re: Do American stores size big?

The other thing I forgot to mention...

Ethnicity plays a role in sizing, as well. For example (and this is generally speaking, there's an exception to every rule), Indians (from India) have slighter frames, Asians are more petite and African Americans are fuller in the hip and thighs. A girlfriend of mine (Caucasion) went to Thailand and while she was there, visited a tailor to have some clothes made. The tailor called her "fat". My friend is 5'7", 140 lb. and a competitive swimmer! She's so not fat, but she's way bigger than most Thai women.

My point is that if you visit a shop that, again for example, has an Asian manufacturer or an Asian market, the sizes are going to be really really small compared to a shop that has American made merchandise for a predominantly Caucasion or African American market.

[joee5]

Re: Do American stores size big?

I have this problem as well when it comes to shopping for tops. Polo shirts, depending on manufacturer, I can wear a size 3X or a 4X. Whereas T-shirts I may need as much as a 5X. Weird aint it. Oh I look forward to the day where there will be only a single X in front of my clothing. God Bless, joe

[MrsBrittney]

Re: Do American stores size big?

I agree with the Vanity sizing. I actually used to adore Old Navy and GAP because, as I got fatter, it seemed to take them longer to recognize than my other stores (American Eagle, Levis, etc). I felt wonderful and lied to all at the same time lol

I've found that AE's non-stretch jeans REFUSE to cater to my ego, so if I am a loose 12 at the GAP/Old Navy -- then I'm typically a muffin-topper size 14 at AE (or a muffin topper but at least ZIPPED size 12 stretch)

[sadie147]

Re: Do American stores size big?

I try to avoid stretch in my jeans all together if i can, but most brands automatically make them stretch now.

Nothing tells you more where you stand as far as weight goes than a pair on non stretch jeans!!!!!!

[MrsBrittney]

Re: Do American stores size big?

LMAO so true, so true.

[julirama723]

Re: Do American stores size big?

I understand your frustration on sizing!

I agree that vanity sizing comes into play, as well as region or demographic. I can wear stuff from an Old Navy in one city, but if I buy it in another city, that stuff doesn't fit. And I've found Old Navy to be peculiarly-sized. I do not have huge thighs, but I certainly don't have chicken legs either--whatever the reason, Old Navy pants do NOT fit me proportionately. Pants that should fit in the waist are impossible to get on, because the the legs are too small and I can't even get them up all the way!

At the GAP, I haven't noticed that the clothes are bigger, but I certainly have noticed that I can only wear the "curvy" line of pants. Everything else makes me feel like they were tailored for people with uber-skinny legs.

That being said, all of the pants that I wear now range from size 7-12.

I LOVE juniors clothing! It fits me better than "women's" clothing does, probably because I don't have an exaggerated hourglass figure, and most juniors pants are low-rise. What kills me is that I have pants that are junior size 9 or 11, yet I have a muffin top in some adult size 12s...